Joel Embiid was NBA MVP runner-up for the second consecutive season. But the city of Philadelphia created its own way of honoring him.
Joel Embiid covets an MVP Award, there’s no doubt about it. He finished second in MVP voting to Nikola Jokic for the second consecutive year and in April, before the award was announced, he already seemed to be steeling himself for disappointment, saying, “If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, I don’t know what I have to do. I’ll feel like they hate me. I feel like the standard for guys in Philly or for me is different than everyone else.
After the voting was announced, he appeared to be playing it cool, saying, “I’m not mad. That’s two years in a row I put myself in that position. It didn’t happen. It’s almost like, at this point, it is whatever. Whatever happens, happens.”
But it’s not too hard to read between the lines and, honestly, who wouldn’t want to be recognized as the best player in the NBA?
Well, he finally has an MVP, even if that best player in the NBA thing wasn’t part of it.
Philadelphia officially names Joel Embiid MVP — Most Valuable Philadelphian
Yes, it’s official. The city council in Philadelphia passed an actual resolution designating the honor. The text of the document extolls several of his career highlights and what he’s done for the Philadelphia 76ers and the city over the years. It’s also important to note that this resolution is not specifically for the 2021-22 season and appears to bestow the honor in perpetuity.
I can’t decide if this helps or hurts their chances of landing the next big name in free agency. On one hand, you know you have a city government willing to pass silly laws honoring your shoot hoops skills. On the other hand, the title of Most Valuable Philadelphian is already taken.